EVERTON’S UEFA Cup tie in Nuremberg will not linger long in the memory in terms of entertainment; but it could well be remembered in years to come as a defining moment for the club in the competition.

Playing away from home at a Bundesliga side, albeit a struggling one, looked like Everton’s most difficult fixture in the group stage. But the players implemented David Moyes’s gameplan perfectly.

The Blues dominated the opening exchanges and could have been 1-0 up in the first minute but for a remarkable save from an otherwise unimpressive goalkeeper.

Everton then came through the inevitable good spell from the Germans, before turning up the power in the second half.

I suspect they would have been content with a point, while looking for a win without trying to be overly-ambitious.

That’s exactly what happened, with Victor Anichebe reinforcing his reputation as an impact player who can worry defenders late in matches when they are getting tired and sloppy.

All in all it was a performance of efficiency and professionalism from the Blues, which should send confidence soaring at an ideal moment . . . their first visit this season to one of the “big four” sides.

It’s been a week of numerous feel-good factors at Goodison.

We’ve had James Vaughan making a successful return from injury, so soon after Tim Cahill made his comeback, and Andy Johnson signalling his intention to end the persistent rumours about a transfer by committing his name to a new contract.

I was very impressed with the conduct of everyone concerned regarding the new deal.

The timing was perfect, with the new transfer window looming, negotiations were conducted without any leaks to the press, and they were completed swiftly and successfully.

It means we can travel down to Stamford Bridge tomorrow in excellent spirits.

Fans did Blues proud

EVERTON rescued three points against Birmingham from a match which should have been won long before Olivier Kapo’s 80th minute equaliser.

This Everton side must learn to maintain its urgency when leading a match and aggressively chase a second goal.

One thing which struck me against Birmingham, however, was the attitude of the Everton fans throughout. All too often I’ve looked around stadia elsewhere when an away team has scored a late equaliser, and all you see are fans filing out and rows and rows of rapidly emptying seats.

I looked around last Saturday when Lee Carsley fired in his 93rd minute winner, and the place was packed with celebrating supporters.

Come on UEFA, it can’t be that hard

ONCE again an organisation which employs thousands of people and takes millions of pounds out of the game shot itself in the foot over what surely must be one of its most basic of tasks, allocating match tickets.

I hope not too many Everton fans missed out on what should have been a fantastic football experience because of UEFA’s cack-handed policy on allocations.

Surely by now UEFA aren’t surprised at the numbers of British fans wiling and able to watch their teams perform in Europe?

It was only successful because of the behaviour of the Everton fans spread all around the easy-Credit Stadion.